τρύπημα
trýpēma
G5169
SILEX Entry
Definition
A hole or opening made by boring or piercing, specifically referring to a small aperture such as the eye of a needle. More generally, it denotes any small opening or perforation produced by mechanical means.
Semantic Range
hole, bored opening, aperture, needle's eye, small perforation
Root / Etymology
From a derivative of the base of τρυμαλιά (trumalia, 'hole', especially the eye of a needle), itself ultimately related to τρύω (tryō, 'to wear away, pierce, bore').
Historical & Contextual Notes
τρύπημα is a rare term in extant Greek literature, with its only New Testament appearance at Matthew 19:24 and parallel passages, where it denotes the small opening (the 'eye') in a needle through which thread is passed. In Hellenistic Greek, terms from the same root appear to refer to any kind of small perforation, especially those deliberately made by tools. The context in the New Testament employs the word as part of a hyperbolic image emphasizing the impossibility of a task, not focusing on the physical implement itself. The term is more concrete and technical than metaphorical uses and does not have broader metaphorical meanings outside such set expressions. Septuagint usage is lacking; related words appear in classical sources to denote physical holes or apertures. Traditional English Bibles translate τρύπημα in this fixed phrase as 'eye', but this is a narrowing of the literal meaning (i.e., any bored hole).
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from a derivative of the base of τρυμαλιά; an aperture, i.e. a needle's eye:--eye.
Root Family
τρυπ- (trýpēma) — to bore, to pierce, to make a hole
Word Forms
0 distinct forms
No word forms found for this Strong's number.
Occurrences in Scripture
0 occurrences
No occurrences found.